Christianity is the primary influence on society throughout the region. The Catholic Church has heavily influenced culture and society in Central America and in many nations and territories in the Caribbean for centuries although in recent years its power and relationship with governments has decreased. Protestantism continues to thrive throughout the region. Central American nations generally experience strong cultural similarities with other Spanish-speaking Latin American nations due to a shared Spanish colonial past, the fusion of European and Amerindian cultures, and the dominance of the Catholic Church. Caribbean culture bares similarities with Latin American nations due to the fusion of indigenous and European cultures but most nations and territories in the Caribbean demonstrate stronger ties to their former European colonizers than Central America, have predominantly black African populations as a result of African slaves brought to labor in plantations, and a greater influence from South Asia in local culture due to the influx of East Indian workers in the nineteenth century.
Holidays In Belize Christmas is almost never celebrated on December 25 but on December 24. Beverages are consumed and fireworks set off at midnight. People visit after a midnight mass. Colorful clothes are worn.
New Year-January 1
Baron Bliss Day- March 9
Good Friday-March-April:Friday Before Easter
Holy Saturday-March-April:Saturday Before Easter
Easter Monday-March-April:Monday After Easter
Labor Day- May1
Commonwealth Day-May 25
National Day(St. George's Caye Day)-September 10
Independence Day- September 21
Columbus Day-October 12
Christmas-December 25-26
History
Amerindian peoples are believed to had settled Central America and the Caribbean several millennia prior to the arrival of Europeans. Sophisticated and advanced pre-Colombian ancient Mesoamerican civilizations thrived in Mexico for centuries prior to European contact. The Olmecs, Mayas, Toltecs, and Aztecs occupied large areas of Mexico and some exerted influence into northern Mexico and Central America. The Mayans settled and founded several populous city states in Guatemala, the Yucatan Peninsula, and nearby countries before 1000 AD. Most cities were abandoned around AD 1000. Arawak and Carib Amerindians populated the Lesser Antilles and coastal areas of the Guianas prior to European exploration. Led by Christopher Columbus, the Spanish first sighted land in the Americas in the present-day Bahamas in 1492. Spain quickly expanded its empire in the New World, laying waste to indigenous Amerindian populations. In the 1520s, Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire and established a Spanish colony which endured for 300 years.
Central American traditions will be celebrated at the Smithsonian’s Hispanic Heritage Month family day Saturday, Sept. 15, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the National Museum of American History. The day will feature a sampling of music and dance performances as well as food demonstrations and hands-on arts and crafts. The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies brings together the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian Latino Center and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to present the Central American Traditions Family Day.
Culture
Christianity is the primary influence on society throughout the region. The Catholic Church has heavily influenced culture and society in Central America and in many nations and territories in the Caribbean for centuries although in recent years its power and relationship with governments has decreased. Protestantism continues to thrive throughout the region. Central American nations generally experience strong cultural similarities with other Spanish-speaking Latin American nations due to a shared Spanish colonial past, the fusion of European and Amerindian cultures, and the dominance of the Catholic Church. Caribbean culture bares similarities with Latin American nations due to the fusion of indigenous and European cultures but most nations and territories in the Caribbean demonstrate stronger ties to their former European colonizers than Central America, have predominantly black African populations as a result of African slaves brought to labor in plantations, and a greater influence from South Asia in local culture due to the influx of East Indian workers in the nineteenth century.
HolidaysIn Belize Christmas is almost never celebrated on December 25 but on December 24. Beverages are consumed and fireworks set off at midnight. People visit after a midnight mass. Colorful clothes are worn.
History
Amerindian peoples are believed to had settled Central America and the Caribbean several millennia prior to the arrival of Europeans. Sophisticated and advanced pre-Colombian ancient Mesoamerican civilizations thrived in Mexico for centuries prior to European contact. The Olmecs, Mayas, Toltecs, and Aztecs occupied large areas of Mexico and some exerted influence into northern Mexico and Central America. The Mayans settled and founded several populous city states in Guatemala, the Yucatan Peninsula, and nearby countries before 1000 AD. Most cities were abandoned around AD 1000. Arawak and Carib Amerindians populated the Lesser Antilles and coastal areas of the Guianas prior to European exploration. Led by Christopher Columbus, the Spanish first sighted land in the Americas in the present-day Bahamas in 1492. Spain quickly expanded its empire in the New World, laying waste to indigenous Amerindian populations. In the 1520s, Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire and established a Spanish colony which endured for 300 years.http://www.cumorah.com/index.php?target=missiology_articles&story_id=215
Traditions
Central American traditions will be celebrated at the Smithsonian’s Hispanic Heritage Month family day Saturday, Sept. 15, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the National Museum of American History. The day will feature a sampling of music and dance performances as well as food demonstrations and hands-on arts and crafts. The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies brings together the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian Latino Center and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to present the Central American Traditions Family Day.http://newsdesk.si.edu/releases/central-american-traditions-focus-smithsonian-s-hispanic-heritage-month